The cruise ship docked around 7 AM. By 8 AM we were off the ship and looking for transportation to take us to the hotel so we could spend the day exploring our final city on this trip. Half of the ship's cruisers had the very same idea, so finding a taxi or Uber was impossible, as neither could enter the shipyard to pick up passengers. We never did learn why taxis could not enter that area. So we began to walk as OFD said the hotel was about a mile away. We began the UPHILL trek tugging/pulling our rolling suitcases on narrow, cobbled sidewalks. No breakfast. No coffee. Did I mention we had to go uphill? After what felt like hours, we did arrive at the hotel to leave our luggage and find a recommended eating place.
That was our start to two days in Oslo, Norway.
Oslo Tree
The Oslo Tree is an art installation gifted to the people of Oslo by Canica AS, a company owned by Stein Erik Hagen.
The tree is 14 meters tall, 12 meters wide and weighs 27 tons altogether. 125 000
LEDs create a colourful, computerized display, tailored to the seasons. ~ signage at the tree
The geocache was located just outside the port's fence and near The Oslo Tree. The tree was so cool as it looked very much like a real tree.
These four black and whites were part of a mural on a building near the port area. The Route 66 sign and the bison were reminiscent of scenes from home.
Our lunch location was near the palace, so that was our destination for the afternoon. OFD headed off to explore other areas of the city.
one of the walking paths in the Palace Park
The Palace Park was opened by King Oscar I in 1847, two years before the Royal Palace was completed. Ever since then the Royal Family's park has been open to the public all year round, making it unique in Europe.*
The Palace Park was designed by the Palace architect H. D. F. Linstow in 1838 and was laid out between 1838 and 1860 by the first gardener at the Royal Palace, Martin Mortensen. Most of the trees in the park, originally numbering more than 2 000, were planted in 1842.
Early descriptions refer to the park as lush and abundant with flowers. Over the years the Palace Park has been steadily simplified to include fewer ponds and plants than previously.*
Today the park is characterised by large lawns and voluminous trees, although the number of trees has almost been halved as a result of old age and damage over time.*
The Garden Section at the Royal Palace is now working to restore elements of the park's original diversity, with shrubs and flowers planted beneath the trees. The park is a cultural heritage site and is managed by the Palace gardeners in accordance with eco-friendly principles. * ~ signage in the park
The Royal Palace
Building activities commenced in 1824, and the foundation stone was laid by King Carl Johan on 1 October 1825. The Palace was officially taken into use on 26 July 1849 by King Oscar I.**
The Royal Palace is built in Neo-Classical style with a facade of stuccoed brick. The building has two wings and is three storeys high.**
The Royal Palace is owned by the state and placed at the disposal of the head of state. It is where the daily work of the monarchy is conducted and where the King and Queen live. It is where the King presides over the Council of State, grants audiences and holds official dinners. Foreign heads of state who visit Oslo stay at the Palace. Most of the members of the Royal Court have their workplace here.**
The Royal Palace is situated on a rise, the Bellevue, at one end of Oslo’s main thoroughfare, Karl Johans gate. The Royal Palace is one of the country’s most important buildings, and a concrete symbol of the course of Norwegian history since 1814.** ~ The Royal House of Norway
We were treated to a parade and some music while we explored the palace grounds.
Crown Princess Martha & Queen Maud
The Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park
The Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park was opened 19 May 2016 as part of the celebration of the King and Queen's 25th anniversary. 1 000 children from local kindergartens were also invited to the opening, as this is a sculpture park by - and for - children. Today the sculpture park consists of 12 sculptures - a result of a nationwide competition among 5th and 6th graders. ~ The Royal House of Norway
We spent most of the afternoon in the Palace Park to complete the geocaching Adventure Lab.
We celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary (June 6th) in Oslo. We celebrated with dinner at McDonalds for two reasons: it was raining hard and McDonalds was close to the hotel.
the hotel in Oslo
the cool elevator door in teh hotel
Next: the last day in Oslo
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